This last weekend was the first of our local river races, the Liebensberg, billed as the Gauteng K2 Champs, and as usual the river didn’t disappoint. Some big names like McGregor and Maher along with Hamish Lovemore and the Mtolo brothers came from KZN to contest the race honours. Normally we don’t see any Capies at our races, but Mark Keeling came from Fishoek, Tom Lovemore from Kynsna, and Schumpie from CT – great effort – thanks guys. From our side, Clint had a sore bum and couldn’t paddle, so our money and hopes were on Wayne and Brad, Rob and Young Luke, and the Scarcies, Siseko and Banetse. On the lady’s side Christie and Saskia who had both excelled at the World Marathon Champs had only their Durban friends Pippa and Jenna to contest, as they were literally the only lady K2 combos.
Before the start of day 1 (which was only at 10:30, meaning those that left from Jo’burg could literally sleep in) the wind was howling, and many feared the worst – a headwind all the way. In the end we were incredibly lucky as the river flows well, and we had a tail wind for most of the day, so those who typically do a time trial at about 10kph, cruised down the Liebensberg at 14kph feeling like pros. At the sharp end of the field some of the real pros encountered nasty rebar in the first weir, some 10km downriver. McGregor and Maher along with Rob and Young Luke both had their boats sliced open, and that was the end of their races. Day 1 then became a race between the Lovemore brother’s, Wayne and Brad; with Hamish and Tom taking a two second lead, while Christie and Saskia totally dominated the ladies – and most of the guys too.
Lunch was at Skip Skop, and for many this blurred late into the evening. The locals loved the party, and our two-tone farmer shirts, so they have ordered some. They also loved the music from Hams beat box (the Dabblers lead guitarist couldn’t make the date) while the bar loved the money that flowed. Rumour has it that Vaughn’s bar bill (which did include a lot of food for the Scarcies and drinks for whoever was there) was a cool R5k. Rumour also has it that Clint (with his sore bum) was last to leave at 02:30 with Ryan, who then couldn’t paddle on Sunday because he had a sore pelvis. Really guys?
On Sunday the wind dropped, and the same day 1 section was raced again, but with the slowest guys going off first and the elapsed time racers last. The Lovemore brothers with Wayne and Brad on their tail blasted past most of the field to take the win, while the Mtolo brothers were third. Ben and Wonga were 5th overall and first U23’s, well done guys! Christie and Saskia were 12th overall and while we should see them break time and place records at the Fish, the men’s race could be anyone’s. Mark Keeling was 16th and the first K1, while Lucien and Suishi were the first U18’s. Congratulations to Jack Heenan, the U14 from the Ridge who finished day 1 in a K1! Well done also to Jamie and David from the Ridge who did their first river in a K3 with Daniel. The first mixed double home was Greg and Hayley from KZN; we had our money on Sarah and Benji, but their day 2 didn’t go so well, while the first K3 home was Colin, Peter and Richard, from VLC. After day 1 we thought that Flem Dog, Flem Pup and Brad might have won the Olympic K3’s; they had been racing Ham, Vaughn and Moolies for the Dabs honours, and beaten them on day 1, which must have hurt because Ham & Co. weren’t seen on Sunday.
Apart from all the age group winners, the lucky winner was Mmeli; a KZN Change a Life paddler who won the K1 – which he promptly sold to Richard Cook for a good price, so they both went home happy. Not so happy was Chukkie who reversed into a tree damaging the back of his bakkie and then he drove over Mike Stewarts boat, flattening it like a fat piece of paper.
Respect to Mo Patel, who stopped to help a paddler in distress. Jan de Neef (a veteran paddler with over 20 Dusi’s to his name) was paddling with Jenna Freeguard when they took a swim at the big willow rapid, and Jan ended up getting trapped between their boat and a tree. Mo saw this and asked Jan (who Mo knows) if needed a hand. Jan only has one arm, so he held up his unique paddling prosthetic and said yes. Rob and Louise Levick then arrived and helped pull the boat off him. Well done to all involved; Mo for checking, Rob and Louise for doing the work, Jan and Jenna for their calm.
Thank you and well done to all our organisers; Karen, Steve, Caren, John O, Nkosi and all the SCARC sweeps and marshals. Yes, Jan’s story is scary, and yes there were DNF’s, but this really is a fantastic stretch of river, perfect for beginners; as our river novices like Louise, Jamie, David and Jack will tell you. Brad Fish is planning a special prize of a trip to Mauritius for LBV 2024, so there should be a whole lot more of us there next year. Skip Skop will no doubt be excited to hear this.
Fish is the next big one, entries close at the end of the month. And then there’s the Vaal in mid-November, another race of ours that’s well worth doing, and much closer to home. If you have access to a surf ski, Raoul is planning a downwind on the Vaal Dam for Monday morning, Heritage Day. All who went last year said it was fantastic.
Otherwise – Go The Bokke!